I own a 2010 f250 with 6.4 liter. now i know all about the dpf and regen process, but i am now at 16,000 miles and my regen started the morning at 8 am and after over 150 miles and 9 hrs later my truck is still in regen and i have had 8 separate occassions today alone of white smoke blowing from my exhaust, my truck has been blowing white smoke at end of regen process since about 3000 miles. my dealership tells me the white smoke is normal and today i called him about noon to ask if i should be in regen this long and he said i must not be driving it long enough to finish the regen process, but there were times i was on interstate for up to 12 miles at 70mph and lots of other times i was on highways at over 45 mph for 20-30 minute periods.

i could understand if i wasn't driving long enugh to finish process but why the so many times of white smoke coming out. and in case anyone asks it is enough smoke to make people behind me change lanes and last for anywhere from 10 seconds to 2 minutes. i will gladly take any information you have as i am going to call dealership tommorrow and would like to have an idea what i am talking about.

thanks

 

Some owners have seen the white smoke while in regen, I have not. If you have 16K miles on a 2010 you must have had at least 30 previous regens and can relate to the dealer that the symptom is completely new. Do a search on "white smoke" and I'm sure you'll hit some good threads. I think you will find some threads that point to stuck EGR. Also check the TSBs. Here's a couple that contain white smoke symptoms:

Diagnostic codes or Diesel Particulate Filter damage from aftermarket equipment:
Trucks that have EGR valve codes P0401 or P0402, or DPF codes P2002 or P244A, or have a damaged DPF or catalytic converter--may exhibit soot in tailpipe or white or black smoke; should be checked for aftermarket air induction systems (may cause MAF sensor and/or EGR valve concerns), exhaust systems that have eliminated the DPF and/or cat converter, and/or performance "chips". Problems caused by aftermarket products are not covered by Ford warranty. Broadcast Message 7341.

Lack of power, fluid leakage from tailpipe, abnormal tailpipe sediment, white smoke, exhaust smell, check engine light on:
The above conditions may be accompanied by elevated engine idle, surging, engine knocking or the crankcase may be over full. Fluid frome the tailpipe may be coolant, fuel or oil.
If diagnostic codes P0087, P2291, P0263-P0284, P0300-P0308, or P1336 are retrieved, or if there is evidence of an internal fuel leak (fuel in the exhaust, over-full oil), the fuel supply to the injectors and the injectors should be checked for leakage. If the oil is not over-full the turbo bearings should be checked.
If the codes are P132B, P2262 or P2263, or there is evidence oil oil leaks or the oil level is low, turbo actuator operation and turbo bearings should be checked.
If there is evidence of coolant leakage from the exhaust or the coolant level is low, the EGR coolers should be tested.
Additional codes may include P244C or P244D for the DPF. Perform diagnosis on the above codes and engine noises as needed. Care should be taken when running the engine due to the likelyhood of piston hydro-lock/engine damage. TSB #07-8-9

Diesel Particulate Filter regeneration characteristics:
Regeneration is the process by which soot is burned from the diesel particulate filter. DPF regeration frequency and duration is determined by drive cycle. Typically frequency is 100-600 miles between occurances and will last 10-40 minutes. Duration time is less if a constant speed over 30 MPH is maintained. Normal characteristics during regeneration include elevated idle of 1100-1200 in park/neutral that drops when the brake pedal is applied, increased white smoke in cold ambient temperatures, reduced engine response and power limited to 325 HP, change in engine, exhaust and induction sound, flutter on deceleration or shut-down, increased exhaust smell and temperatures, and lower economy. TSB #07-4-11.

Don't know if you were dropping codes, but good luck with your issue.

 

thanks for your help, i have never had aftermarket items and haven't noticed any fluids from tailpipe, i changed my oil 900 miles ago. i am thinking stuck egr valve. the smoking episodes got closer together as the day went on. i will call dealership tommorrow.

thanks again for taking the time to reply with so much info.

 

this will explain what is normal as well as allowable time and mileage for regen. This is a tsb for 08my but the regen function is unchanged and operates the same. A reflash may or may not help you, but sounds like you have an issue

FORD: 2008 F-Super Duty


This article supersedes TSB 08-25-7 and 07-4-11 to update the Service Procedure.

ISSUE:
Some 2008 F-Super-Duty 250-550 vehicles equipped with a 6.4L diesel engines and built prior to 8/2/2007 may require a calibration update which will cover several different concerns.

ACTION:
Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition.

NORMAL OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS - EXHAUST SYSTEM REGENERATION

This document provides additional information on the conditions of normal operation while the vehicle is in the exhaust filter regeneration process. These are normal conditions and do not require repair. For most driving conditions, normal exhaust filter regeneration will begin anywhere from 100-600 miles (161-966 km) from the completion of the last regeneration cycle. Each occurrence will last from 10-40 minutes.

The exhaust filter regeneration process will not initiate or may be terminated when:

The vehicle is stopped at idle for more than 5 minutes in gear.
The vehicle is operated in Power Take Off (PTO) mode.
Stationary Elevated Idle Control (SEIC) is engaged.
The gear selector is placed in Park or Neutral.
Vehicle characteristics change during the exhaust filter regeneration process:

Some white smoke in cold ambient temperatures is normal. The amount of white smoke during this time will be increased during exhaust filter regeneration.
The engine's peak power is modestly limited during regeneration.
Engine responsiveness may be slightly different than normal operation during regeneration.
Exhaust smell may be noticed during the exhaust filter regeneration process - especially on new vehicles.
The powertrain sound will be different during exhaust filter regeneration including air induction noise, combustion noise, flutter on deceleration or shut down.
SERVICE PROCEDURE

Reprogram the Powertrain Control Module (PCM), Transmission Control Module (TCM) and Instrument Cluster (IC).

Reprogram appropriate vehicle modules before performing diagnostics and clear all diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) after programming. For DTCs generated after reprogramming, follow normal diagnostic service procedures.

Reprogram the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) to the latest calibration using Integrated Diagnostic System (IDS) release 61.19 and higher or 62.07 and higher. This new calibration is not included in the VCM 2009.7 DVD. Calibration files may also be obtained at Motorcraft. When reprogramming the PCM on automatic transmission equipped vehicles the transmission control module (TCM) will also automatically be reprogrammed to the latest level.

Please print out the customer information sheet attached to this TSB and insert into the glove box with the Owners Guide for future customer reference.

NOTE: REPROGRAMMING CONCERNS / ERRORS MAY BE CAUSED BY THE DATA LINK CONNECTOR (DLC) OR VEHICLE COMMUNICATION MODULE (VCM) BECOMING DISCONNECTED, LOW BATTERIES ON THE IDS OR THE IDS GOING INTO ANY TYPE OF SLEEP MODE, OR LOW VEHICLE BATTERY VOLTAGE. TO PREVENT VEHICLE BATTERY DISCHARGE DURING REPROGRAMMING A POWER SUPPLY CHARGER ROTUNDA NUMBER 162-00043 OR EQUIVALENT SHOULD BE USED. IF THERE WAS AN INTERRUPTION DURING REPROGRAMMING, MAKE SURE THE ORIGINAL IDS SESSION THAT WAS CREATED FOR THE VEHICLE IS NOT DELETED. IF THE ORIGINAL VEHICLE SESSION IS NOT USED OR DELETED BEFORE THE MODULES ARE COMPLETELY REPROGRAMMED, FURTHER REPROGRAMMING ERRORS CAN OCCUR. THE MODULE RECOVERY PROCEDURE IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE AND IT IS CRITICAL THAT MODULE SWAPPING IS NOT PERFORMED FROM VEHICLE TO VEHICLE. TO REGAIN COMMUNICATION WITH A MODULE THAT HAS BEEN ERASED DURING REPROGRAMMING, RESUME THE ORIGINAL SESSION ONCE THE IDS IS RE-BOOTED.



Calibration Update Includes:

Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) regeneration will no longer initiate in Park or Neutral and in power-take-off (PTO) mode. When Drive to Clean Exhaust Filter is displayed on the instrument cluster PTO and/or stationary elevated idle control (SEIC) must be disengaged / inactive in order to properly clean the DPF. The vehicle must be driven until the Cleaning Exhaust Filter message is extinguished.
Diagnostic and malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) operation improvements for DTCs P0128, P0196, P2002, P006B, P2563, P0108, P0234, P1260, U0073, P042E, P042F, P0404, P1335, P041C, P2457 and P2263 set during key on engine running (KOER) self test.
Reduced vehicle surge and improved resume function during cruise control operation.
Improved cold start drivability for vehicles operated in temperatures below 32 °F (0 °C).
PTO Content:
Vehicle speed output signal used by vehicle upfitters will now read zero when vehicle is stopped.
PTO idle engagement RPM ramp rate revised.
Improvements to reduce P0544, P2031 P242A, P242B, P2080, P2084 and P117B set on long decelerations after cold start.
Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) disable function at idle is now determined by exhaust temperature and not idle time.
Revised pressure control valve (PCV) / volume control valve (VCV) learning tables for vehicles that exhibit DTCs P0087 and/or P2291 following replacement of the high pressure pump or major fuel system repairs. Reset the PCV / VCV learning tables and fuel injector parameters with IDS using the clear fuel injector parameters.
Enhancements for vehicles that exhibit white smoke during DPF regeneration at ambient temperatures below 55 °F (13 °C).
Resolution for vehicles that exhibit a No Crank condition, failure mode effects management (FMEM) continuous timer count down due to Exhaust Gas Temperature Sensor disconnect while performing system diagnostics or vehicle battery disconnect.
IDS tool updates for DPF manual regeneration diagnostic testing referenced in Powertrain Controls/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) Pinpoint Test RB

 

I just went through the same thing about 2 weeks ago. They had to reprogram my truck as they said that the programming had become corrupt. They didn't have a clue why it did it but the reprogram seems to have cured it. The newest version doesn't leave the cleaning exhaust filter message up is what I was told, I haven't even seen the flash of it yet on the message center. If they reprogram it be prepared for some mileage loss, so far mine is about 2-3 mpg less than I was getting and I think the performance is down somewhat from before it too.
Good luck on it.

 

I had a similar situation a year or so ago. Not as extreme as yours, but similar. Truck acted funny and blew out white/grey smoke. The next day I started the truck in the morning and my check engine light was on, took it to a dealer and they had to replace an exhaust sensor.

Maybe after your truck sits overnight it will throw a code?

Go out and check your coolant level and make sure it's not real low.

 

thanks to all who replied,
the next morning my truck went into regen about a half hour after running, luckily i was getting on the interstate, it ran for about 25 miles at 70mph before finally turning off. that was the first time it ever took that long. it has since regened three times and no of which were nearly that long. i am really hating this dpf. i think once my warranty is gone i will be deleting it.
just thought i would follow up with you guys.

thanks again.